Discussion: economics of labour migration
13
02, 2023
After 22 years in Singapore, a career ends
Selvakumar has spent almost all his working life in Singapore. Does he feel much better off now than when he first came?
27
01, 2023
Two generations of migrant workers
Two sons tell us what their fathers' basic wages were when the latter were working in Singapore. An older worker tells us what his starting salary was over twenty years ago, and what his current salary is today.
5
01, 2023
Two loans and their interest rates
Two workers shared with us how much they borrowed to fund their recruitment. They also laid out their repayment schedules. With a bit of math, a stunning picture emerges.
22
10, 2022
Labour crunch during pandemic reveals hopeful possibilities for recruitment cost
When the construction industry faced a severe manpower shortage due to Covid-19 border closures, a funny thing happened to recruitment costs. Knowing the phenomenon would be ephemeral, a snapshot study was conducted.
25
04, 2022
Segmentation by nationality in Singapore’s construction industry – a comparison of Thais and Bangladeshis
Singapore's construction labour force is characterised by a noticeable stratification by nationality. A study by a former TWC2 volunteer throws light on one reason why.
14
01, 2022
Blacklisted: Imagined fears or unspoken reality?
Many low-wage migrant workers fear that lodging any complaint with the authorities may lead to their being blacklisted. Is this real or imagined? Our intern investigates.
15
12, 2021
Work permit approval process weaponised for blackmail
Boss and worker agreed to renew work permit, but renewal process got stuck. Another company laid claim to the worker; its IPA approved by the Manpower ministry.
8
12, 2021
46 days’ quarantine for worker arriving from Bangladesh
A worker who came to Singapore in September 2021 gives us details of the pre-departure and post-arrival quarantines he had to serve.
18
10, 2021
On average, Indian and Bangladeshi migrant workers stay 4.2 years with the same employer, our survey finds
Shockingly, staring salaries, adjusted for inflation, have steadily declined over twenty years.
30
07, 2021
Two more maid abuse cases come before the courts
Two maid abuse cases together throw a spotlight on an underlying issue: the difficulty migrant workers face when trying to get out of unhappy jobs.